Modulating gas control means



IODULATING GAS CONTROL MEANS Filed June 28; 1948 Oct. 17, 1950' as} j 91 I 0 89 9311 F 15 2 2 4 9 E 7 95 78 67 96 r 66 8 8 9 32 4 Ci" 5? 3 l '3 97" 6| I 60 Q 06 3 37 E 2 [4 H K I 57 I 36 I3 18 73 2 d INVENTOR COURTNEY O. DOUGLAS ATTO RN EY Patented Oct. 17, 1950 MODULATING GAS CONTROL MEANS Courtney C. Douglas, Temple City, CaliL, assignor to The Deutsch Company, Los Angeles, Calif a partnership composed of Alex Deutsch, Eleanor Deutsch, and Lester Deutsch Application June 28, 1948, Serial No. 35,581

11 Claims.

This invention relates generally to modulating gas control mechanisms for controlling the flow of combustible gaseous fuel to burners and the like, of furnaces. I

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this character having accurate control of the flow of gaseous fuel in accordance with the room temperature required.

It is another object of the invention to provide a, device of this character having improved modulating characteristics.

Still another object of the invention is to provide mechanism of this character wherein initial lighting is insured by initiall providing a large volume of gas and thereafter so controlling the supply of gas as to effect the required modulating operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein the temperature responsive means for controlling the valve are relatively free from the effects of ambient Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following part of the specification.

In the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only,

. Fig. 1 is a view, partly in section, of valve mechanism embodying the present invention and alsoincluding the wiring circuit for said valve mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section showe ing the structure of the modulating valve mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fi 1, there is shown a valve housing, indicated generall at H], of generally cylindrical form and having a tapped inlet opening I l and a tapped outlet opening 12. The inlet opening is adapted to threadably receive the threaded end of a conduit leading from a source of gaseous fuel, and the outlet I2 is adapted to receive the threaded end of a conduit leading to a burner or burners. The interior of the housing I is hollow and is provided with a longitudinally extending partition wall l3 having a laterally extending end portion. II which merges with the outer wall of the housing at one side thereof and a second laterally extending end portion l5 extending to and merging with the outer wall of the housing opposite the first mentioned outer wall portion.

I Thus the housing is separated into an inlet chamber It in communication with the inlet II and an outlet chamber ll in communication with the outlet l2.

The partition I3 is provided with an opening l8 and a second opening l9 longitudinally spaced from the opening ill with respect to the housing. The opening I8, which is larger than the opening I9, is controlled by a main valve, indicated generally at 20. Said valve is shown as comprising a poppet valve member 2| adapted to engage a seat 22 about the lower end of the opening it. The valve member 2| has an axial recess which extends partway through said member and in which is received a valve stem 23. The lower end of the stem 23 is provided with a roove 24 for reception of a spring clip 25 which engages an annular groove 26 in the recess of the member 2|. It is to be noted that the recess is of slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the stem, thereby permitting sufficient angular tilting of the member 2| with respect to the stem 23 so as to insure seating of said member 2|.

The valve member 2| is urged in the closing direction by a spring 21 having one end disposed about a reduced diameter portion 28 of said member, thereby providing a shoulder against which one end of said spring reacts. The other end of the spring 21 is received in a recess 29 of a plug 30 threadabl received in a threaded opening in the housing provided therefor.

- The upper end of the stem 23 is slidably received in a bore 3| in an upwardly extending extension 32 shown as being formed integrally with the housing Ill.

The opening I9 is controlled by a modulating valve, indicated generally at 35, which comprises a modulating poppet member 36 engageable with a seat 31 surrounding said opening IS. The valve also includes a valve stem 31 having a collar 38 which has cut away side portions 38a, the

' shape of said collar being best shown in Fig. 3.

The collar 38 is adapted to be received in a recess 39 formed in the upper side of the valve member 36, said valve member having an axial bore 40 therethrough for reception of a reduced diameter portion 4| of the stem 31. The reduced diameter portion 4| is substantially smaller than the bore 40 so as to permit the flow of gas through said bore, as will be more particularly described hereinafter, and it is to be noted that the shape of the collar permits the flow of gas thereabout past said cut away side portions 38a even when said collar is disposed within the recess 39. The modulating valve means also includes a bypass poppet valve member 42, the upper surface of which is adapted to engage a valve seat 43 formed on the under side of the poppet member 36. The bypass poppet member 42 has an axial bore 44 therethrough, which is closed at its lower end by a plug 45. The upper end of the bore 44 is threaded, as at 46, for reception of a threaded head 41 on a second reduced diameter portion 48 of the stem 31. The head is screwed through the threaded portion 46 and is loosely received within the lower portion of the bore 44, said head having a rounded lower end portion 49 which engages the plug 45 and permits limited angular or rocking movement of the member 42 so as to insure proper seating thereof on the seat 43. The valve members 36 and 42 are both urged in the closin direction by respective springs 50 and 5|. Spring 50 reacts between the bottom of a large recess 52 of a plug 53 and a shoulder on the under side of the valve member 36. The spring 5| reacts between a smaller recess 54 in the plug 53 and a shoulder on the bypass poppet member 42. The plug 53 is threadably received in a tapped openingprovided therefor in the housing I0, and gaskets 55 and 56 may be provided for the plugs 53 and 30 respectively, to provide a suitable seal therefor.

The stem 31 of the modulating valve means extends through a bore 51 of a projecting portion 58 of the housing.

Adjacent each end of the housing I are upstanding supports 60 and 6| respectively, and adjacent the upper end of the support 60 is a bimetallic member 62 secured adjacent one end to the support 60 by means of screws 63 or the like. The bi-metallic member or thermostatic element 62 extends over and is engageable with the projecting end of the valve stem 23, and said bi-metallic element 62 is adapted to effect opening of the poppet member 2I upon downward deflection of said'element 62. Adjacent the upper end of the support 6| is a bi-metallic element 64 having one end portion secured to said support by means of.screws 65 or the like. The opposite end of side element 64 extends over and is engageable with the stem 31, and is adapted to move'said stem downwardly upon downward deflection of said element end. Each of the elements 62 and 64 is provided with a coil 66 and 61 respectively, of insulated resistance wire to efiect heating of the respective thermostatic elements, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The electrical circuit of the present device is shown in Fig. 1 and includes a source of current indicated generally at I0, said source of current being shown as having 115 volts. There is a transformer "II for reducing the voltage to 24 volts in the secondary coil I2, from which there is a wire I3 leading to a wire I4. One end of the wire I4 is connected to an insulated terminal I which in turn is connected to an end I6 of the resistance or heating element 66. The terminal I5 is insulatingly secured to a cross member II of an inverted U-shaped bracket I8 having the free ends of the side arms secured to the support 60 by means of screws I9 or the like. The opposite end of the wire I4 leads to a terminal 80 similarly secured to the cross member 8! 0i a bracket 82 having the same shape as the bracket I8 and similarly secured to the support 6| by screws 83. The terminal is connected with one end 84 of the heating unit 61.

The secondary coil I2 of the transformer II has a second wire 85 which is connected to a switch, indicated generally at 86, said wire 85 being shown as connected to the movable switch member 81 of said switch 86. The switch 86 has a fixed contact 88 from which a wire 89 leads to a. fixed switch member 90 of a switch 9| secured to the extension 32. The switch member 90 has a contact 92 normally engaged by a movable switch member 93 of said switch 91. The switch member 93 has a connection 93a which leads to a terminal 94 secured in the member I0 of the bracket I8, and said terminal 94 has a connection with the opposite end 95 of the heating element 66. The movable switch member 93 has an upstanding end portion 96 engageable by the free end portion of the bi-metallic element 64, and said switch member 93 is adapted to be moved out of engagement with the contact 92 by downward deflection of said element 64. The above described method of opening the valve 20 is provided to obtain a high initial flow under all starting conditions.

The terminal 94 also has a. connection 91 with a switch indicated generally at 98, said connection or wire 91 being connected to a movable switch member 99 of said switch 98 which also has a fixed switch member I00 connected by a wire I02 to the wire 89. The closing of switch 98 effects opening of the valve 20 which allows full flow as required by the position of the arm I08.

r The wire 89 has a connection I03 with one end of a rheostat coil I04, the other end of said rheostat coil being connected by a wire I05 with wire I06 which leads to a terminal secured to the member 8| of the bracket 82, and which in turn is connected with the opposite end I0'I of the heating element 61. The wire I06 is connected wi h the movable arm I08 of the rheostat, said arm being pivoted at I09 and having its free end movable over the coil I04. This double connection I05 and I06 from the rheostat I04 to the heat ng element 61 aids greatly in eliminating arcing between the resistance wire I04 and the sliding cont ct I08a of arm I08. The arm I08 is c nnected to the movable switch members 8'! and 99 by actuating arms H0 and III respectively, it being understood that the connections between the rheostat arm I08 and the switch members 81 and 99 are of insulating material of any well known type, or said connections may be insulated from said switch members.

It is to be noted that the arm H0 is connected to the rheostat arm I08 at a point spaced a greater distance from the pivot I09 than the point at which the arm III is connected to said rheostat arm, and it is to be understood that the switch 98, as well as the switch 86, is closed when the rheostat arm I08 is at substantially its leftward limit of movement. When the arm I08 is at its rightward limit of movement, switches 98 and 86 are open.

There is temperature responsive means provided, which may be termed the room thermostat, for actuating the arm I08 of the rheostat, and said means is shown as being a thermo-responsive bellows II2 having one end movable and connected with said arm I08 by means of a linkage II3, the other end of sad bellows being connected to an a justing screw II4 threaded in a fixed support H5. The screw H4 has a large head I I6 to facilitate actuation thereof.

It is to be understood that the wiring circuit, rheostat, rheostat controls and switches 66 and 98, are generally diagrammatically shown.

The rheostat element or coil I04 may be plated with rhodium, silver, platinum or palladium, and this plating, together with the connection I65, gives the rheostat high are and wear resistant I characteristics.

Operation Let it be first assumed that the room thermostat H2 is set for a lower temperature than that prevailing in the room in which said thermostat is located. Say, for example, that the thermostat I I2 is set for 50 F. and the room is at 60 F. Under such conditions both the switches 66 and 98 will be open, the main, modulating and bypass valves will be closed, and the switch 9| will be closed.

If it is desired to provide a room temperature of say 70 F., the screw H4 is adjusted to 70 F. which moves arm I08 to its extreme leftward position, thereby effecting closing of switches 86 and 98. Current will then be supplied to both the heating elements 66 and 61 which, as they heat up the bi-metallic elements 62 and 64,

cause the free end portions of said bi-metallic elements to deflect downwardly and open the main valve I6 and the modulating valve member 36 and bypass valve member 42. Thus, a large volume of gas will be supplied to the burner. This large volume of gas may be readily ignited and will provide a full flame.

It is to be noted that as the bi-metallic e1;- ment 64 moves the valve stem 31 downwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bypass valve member 42 is first fully opened and upon continued downward movement of said valve stem, the collar 38 will engage the bottom of the recess 39 and start opening the modulating valve member 36. Also, as the bi-metallic element 64 deflects downwardly, it will engage the upstanding end [portion 96 of the switch 9| and open said switch, so that as soon as the room temperature rises and sufliciently expands the bellows H2 to effect opening of the switch 98, the current to the heating element 66 will be cut off since both switches 98 and- 9| are open. V

The bi-metallic element 62 will then cool (at a relatively rapid rate) allowing the main valve member 2| to close. Thereafter, the supply of gas to the burner will be controlled by the modulating valve member 36.

As the room temperature rises, the room thermostat H2 will expand and move the rheostat arm I98 in clockwise direction, and, as the heating element 61 is supplied by current through the circuit which includes the rheostat coil I64, the current supplied to the heating element 61 will accordingly be reduced, so that the bi-metallic element 64 will tend to straighten out and the free end thereof to move upwardly. This results in a progressive closing of the modulating valve element 36 until the room temperature reaches substantially the desired value, when the thermostat balances the heat loss with the correct heat input. If the heat loss from the room decreases until no heat input is required and the room temperature rises to 72 F., the arm I08 moves clockwise, at which time the switch 86 is opened by the room thermostat I I2 (which operates within approximately 2 F. plus or minus), thereby cutting off the supply of current to the element 61 and permitting the bi-metallic' element 64 to return to its normal position. As the bi-metallic element 64 returns to its normal position and allows closing of the modulating valve element 36, it also allows closing of the switch 9|. The bypass valve 42 is normally open to a very slight extent during minimum operation, and is provided to take care of slight changes in the position of the bi-metallic element 64 due to the effect of ambient temperature thereon.

Assuming the room temperature is now at 72 F. and the temperature thereof begins to drop. When said temperature has dropped to say '71 /z F. the switch 86 closes with the contractive movement of the bellows H2, and just enough heat is supplied to the heating element 61 to effect opening of the bypass valve. Inasmuch as the switch 9| is closed, current is also supplied to the heating element 66 to effect opening of the main valve 2|, and when the bypass valve is opened at minimum heat, the bi-metallic element 64 opens the switch 9| to cut off the current to the heating element 66 so that the main valve 2| will close.

If the room temperature continues to drop, the room thermostat I I2 will continue to contract and to move the rheostat arm I08 in a counterclockwise direction, so that more and more current will be supplied to the heating element 61 and thereby effect a progressive increasing opening of the modulating valve 36. When the temperature of the room drops to say 69 F., the switch 98 will also close and provide the heating element 66 with current to efiect opening of the main valve 2|.

Thereafter, as the room temperature rises, the first described sequence of operation will occur.

It is to be noted that the temperatures above referred to are approximate and for the purpose of better describing the operation of the invention.

It is also to be noted that the heating element 66 is provided with parallel circuits as will be apparent from Fig. 1 and the description of the circuits illustrated thereby.

I claim:

1. In a modulating valve system: a housing having a partition wall provided with a large opening surrounded by a valve seat and a small opening provided with a valve seat, said openings being arranged in parallel; a main valve member controlling the large opening and cooperable with the seat thereof; yielding means urging the valve member against said seat; a thermo-responsive element adapted to move the main valve element in the opening direction when said thermo-responsive element is heated; an electrical heating element arranged to heat said thermo-responsive means; 'a modulating valve element for controlling the small opening and arranged to engage the seat about said opening; yielding means urgin said modulating valve element against its seat, said modulating valve element having a bypass passage therethrougli; a -bypa-s valve element for controlling said bypass passage, said bypass valve element and said modulating valve element being in substantially axial alignment; a valve stem for said modulating val"e element and bypass valve element having lost motion connections with said valve elements whereby the bypass valve element is opened by opening movement of said valve stem; a second thermo-responsive means for actuating said valve stem and for moving same in the opening direction when said thermo-responsive means is heated; a. second electrical heating element for heating said second thermo-responsive means; an electrical connection, adapted to be connected with a source of electrical power connected with the respective electrical heating elements; a second electrical connection adapted to be connected to said source of power and to the first mentioned electrical heating element; a normally closed electrical switch interposed in the second electrical connection and adapted to be opened by the second thermo-responsive means during the initial warming up of said second thermo-responsive means; a second switch, arranged in series with the first mentioned switch, interposed in said second electrical connection; a third electrical connection connecting said first mentioned electrical heating element with the second electrical connection posterior to the second mentioned switch, said first mentioned electrical heating element being thus provided with parallel circuits; a third switch interposed in the third electrical connection; a fourth electrical connection having one end connected to the second connection posterior to the second switch and having its other end connected with the second heating element; a rheostat interposed in the fourth electrical connection, said rheostat having a movable arm; means connecting said arm with the second and third switches; and a temperature responsive device connected to said arm for actuating same and for moving same in a direction to reduce the resistance through the rheostat when said temperature responsive device is cooled and to also close the second and third switches, said second switch being adapted to be closed before the third switch and to be opened subsequent to opening of said third switch.

2. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein said temperature responsive device is a room thermostat and is adjustable.

3. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein the rheostat includes a resistance coil having one end connected to the fourth electrical connection and having its opposite end connected to the second electrical connection.

4. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein the rheostat includes a resistance coil plated with high are suppressing and wear-resistant material.

5. In a modulating valve mechanism: a housing having a partition wall provided with a pair of openings arranged in parallel; a main valve member controlling one of said openings; yielding means urging the main valve member in the closing direction; a modulating valve member controlling the other opening; yielding means urging the modulating valve member in the closing. direction; a bypass in the modulating valve member; a bypass valve member for controlling the bypass, yielding means urging the bypass valve member in the closing direction; and an actuating member having a lost motion connection with both the modulating and bypass valve members and so constructed and arranged as to unseat the bypass valve member before it will unseat the modulating valve member when said actuating member is moved in the valve opening direction.

6. In a modulating valve: a housing having a partition wall provided with a large opening therethrough surrounded by a valve seat and a small opening therethrough provided with a valve seat, said openings being arranged in parallel; a main valve member controlling a large opening and cooperable with the valve seat thereof; yielding means urging the valve member in the closing direction; thermo-responsive means adapted to move the main valve element in the opening direction when said thermo-responsive means is heated; means for heating said thermo responsive means; a modulating valve element for controlling the small opening and arranged to cooperatively engage the valve seat thereof, said modulating valve element having a bypass opening therein; a bypass valve arranged to control said opening; yielding means urging the bypass valve in a direction to close said bypass opening; yielding means urging said modulating valve element in the closing direction; a second thermoresponsive means for actuating the modulating valve and for moving same in the opening direction upon an increase in temperature of said second thermo-responsive means; means for heating the second thermo-responsive means; and means forming a lost motion connection between the second thermo-responsive means and the modulating and bypass valve elements, said connection being so constructed and arranged as to first engage the bypass valve element to effect unseating thereof before engagement with the modulating valve element for unseating the same when the temperature of the second thermo-responsive means increases.

7. In a modulating valve: a housing having a partition wall dividing same into an inlet side and an outlet side, said partition wall having a large opening therethrough and a small opening therethrough, said openings being arranged in parallel; a main valve member controlling the large opening; yielding means urging said main valve member in the closing direction; electrically operated and controlled means for controlling the position of the main valve member; a modulating valve member for controlling the small opening, said modulating valve element having a bypass opening therethrough; a bypass valve member for controlling the bypass opening; means urging the bypass valve member in the closing direction; yielding means urging the modulating valve member in the closing direction; an actuating member having a lost motion connection with the modulating valve member and the bypass valve member whereby the bypass valve member is unseated before the modulating valve member is unseated when the actuating member is moved in the valve opening direction; and electrically operated and controlled means for moving the actuating member and gradually adjusting the position thereof.

8. In a modulating valve: a housing havin a partition wall dividing same into an inlet side and an outlet side, said partition wall having openings therethrough; a main valve member biased in the closing direction for controllin one of the openings; electrical means for controlling the position of the main valve member; a modulating valve member, biased in the closing direction, for controlling another opening in said partition wall; means forming a bypass from the inlet side to the outlet side of the housing; a bypass valve member, biased in the closing direction, for controlling the bypass; electrically operated and controlled means for controlling the position of said modulating and bypass valve members; and switch means for controlling said electrical means, said switch means being opened when the bypass valve member has been opened so as to cut off electrical current to said electrical means to permit the main valve member to move in the closing direction.

9 9. In a modulating valve: a housing having a partition wall dividing same into an inlet side and an outlet side, said partition wall having openings therethrough; a main valve member biased in the closing direction for controlling one of the openings; electrical means for controlling the position of the main valve member; a modulating valve member, biased in the closing direction, for controlling another opening in said partition wall; means forming a bypass from the inlet side to the outlet side of the housing; a bypass valve member, biased in the closing direction, for controlling the bypass; electrically operated and controlled means for controlling the position of said modulating and bypass valve members; means whereby the bypass valve member is opened before the modulating valve member; and switch means for controlling said electrical means, said switch means being opened when the bypass valve member has been opened so as to cut oil electrical current to said electrical means to permit the main valve member to move in the closing direction.

10. In a modulating valve: a housing having a partition wall dividing same into an inlet side and an outlet side, said partition wall having openings therethrough arranged in parallel; a main valve member, biased in the closing direction, for controlling one of said openings; a thermostat for actuating said main valve member; electrical heating means for heating said thermostat; a modulating valve member biased in the closing direction, iorcontrolling another of said openings; means forming a bypass passage; a bypass valve member, biased in the closing direction, for controlling said bypass passage; temperature responsive means for actuating said modulatin and bypass valve members; and an electric circuit, including switch means, for said heatin means, said switch means being normally closed and being opened by said temperature responsive means when the latter moves the bypass valve member in the opening direction.

11. The invention defined by claim 10, wherein there is means forming a, lost motion connection between the bypass valve member and the modulating valve member, said lost motion connection being so arranged that the bypass valve member is opened before the modulating valve member is opened. 7

COURTNEY C. DOUGLAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,845,999 Breese Feb. 16, 1932 1,874,971 Hall Aug. 30, 1932 2,044,427 Giesler June 16, 1936 2,174,042 Rose Sept, 26, 1939 2,270,722 Beam Jan. 20, 1942 2,308,555 Tate Jan. 19, 1943 2,461,608 Laing Feb. 15, 1949 

